Tritan vs PET plastic cups and glasses
By Kirsty Cook, Govino SA · Updated · 2 min read
Short answer: PET (the plastic in cooldrink bottles) makes light, recyclable cups and "glasses", but they're thin, crush easily and warp in a hot dishwasher, so they last one to a few uses. Tritan™ is rigid, glass-clear, dishwasher safe and shatterproof for years. For anything you plan to reuse, a Tritan glass like Govino Shatterproof Wine is the better buy.
PET vs Tritan
| PET | Tritan (Govino) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rigidity | Thin, flexes and crushes | Rigid, feels like glass |
| Dishwasher | No, warps with heat | Yes |
| Recyclable | Yes, code 1, widely collected | Code 7; its case is long reuse |
| Lifespan | One to a few uses | Years |
| Best for | Single-use, high-volume bars | Homes, venues, repeat events |
Is PET the greener choice because it's recyclable?
Recycling helps, but it still means making and transporting a new cup for every drink. A glass reused hundreds of times avoids almost all of that. If cups are already being collected and recycled, PET is better than polystyrene; reuse beats both.
Quick answers
Can PET cups go in the dishwasher?
Generally no. PET softens and warps at dishwasher temperatures.
Is Tritan the same as PET?
No. Both are polyesters, but Tritan is a copolyester engineered for toughness, heat and chemical resistance, which is why it survives dishwashers and drops.